Wendy Ruffier holds up a treat for Poppy, a yorki-poo on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

Wendy Ruffier holds up a treat for Poppy, a yorki-poo on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where ... more

Dressed up doggies including Lynae Folks's dog Starbaby (far left) make their acquaintance on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

Dressed up doggies including Lynae Folks's dog Starbaby (far left) make their acquaintance on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy ... more

Dressed up pooches and their owners mingle on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

Dressed up pooches and their owners mingle on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are ... more

R2D2 drinks from a bowl on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

R2D2 drinks from a bowl on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to ... more

Dressed up pooches and their owners mingle on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

Dressed up pooches and their owners mingle on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are ... more

Two pooches make nice on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

Two pooches make nice on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring ... more

A swimsuit wearing K-9 stands at attention on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

A swimsuit wearing K-9 stands at attention on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are ... more

Paul Rogerville holds Bitzeli, a long haired miniature dachshund as Linda Rogerville gives her a pet on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of "yappy hours" for dogs and their owners, where people are encouraged to bring their pets for cocktails. less

Paul Rogerville holds Bitzeli, a long haired miniature dachshund as Linda Rogerville gives her a pet on the Cypress Lawn of the Ritz-Carlton on July 31, 2014 in Half Moon Bay, CA. The Ritz is hosting a seres of ... more

You'd better be specific if you ask for a Greyhound, the grapefruit-juice-and-vodka cocktail, at the Tiburon Tavern on the last Wednesday of each month. Otherwise you could find yourself nose to nose with a 65-pound ex-racer dog. Welcome to the tavern's outdoor Yappy Hour for guests both two-legged and four.

Tiburon Tavern restaurant general manager Will Farrow said Yappy Hour was introduced in 2013 to help build community relationships.

"Tiburon loves pets, especially dogs," Farrow said. "We're a pet-friendly hotel and restaurant, and this is a great way for locals to include their canine family members in a fun night out. The dogs seem to enjoy it as much as the people."

But Marin County canines aren't the only ones enjoying a little hair of the dog. In Windsor, Mutt Lynch Winery hosts a monthly yappy hour on the second Friday of every month ($10/door) for canines and their companions to benefit the animal charity of the month. And crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco, Waggin' Hour at Wag Hotels typically draws 50 to 200 people and their pups. First introduced in 2006 at the hotel's Sacramento location, the Wooftop Terrace events, held four to six times a year, feature a secret carrot-juice concoction for canines and wine for the humans.

Wag Hotels spokesperson Kristen Rau said Waggin' Hour provides an opportunity to give back to local rescues. Between their locations in Redwood City, Sacramento and San Francisco, Waggin' Hour has raised more than $10,000 for rescue causes. The next San Francisco wooftop event, on Sept. 13, will benefit Friends of Oakland Animal Services; tickets: $10-$20, more info at http://bit.ly/1vD0oa1.

Down the Peninsula, dogs are also puttin' on the Ritz at, well, the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. In 2011, the waterfront hotel introduced Yappy Hour to support the Peninsula Humane Society in Burlingame, and the event has since raised more than $10,000. Held the last Thursday of every month (except November) from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Cypress Lawn, the popular themed events attract up to 120 guests who sniff and schmooze; humans enjoy a special "yappetizer" menu and dogs lap up flavored waters and complimentary treats provided by Paw Patch Pastries. The event is free, but valet parking costs $5; more info at http://bit.ly/1rmZsjA.

July's Yappy Hour featured a swimsuit contest of 30 aspiring pin-up pooches. The winner was a looker named Starbaby, an Old English sheepdog sporting a bikini with pink dolphins. The hotel's Aug. 28 event will celebrate the Dog-Gone End of Summer.

Burlingame resident Maura O'Brien and her 4-year-old French bulldog, Bella, are Yappy Hour regulars. While O'Brien appreciates the venue's magnificent sunset views and sounds of the ocean, what she finds most important is a sentiment shared by many: the sense of community.

"It's incredibly fun seeing friends every month. We might not remember people's names, but we always know the dogs' names," she said. "However, the bonus is knowing that proceeds benefit the Peninsula Humane Society, and, periodically other local dog charities. Plus Bella loves the Ritz. She literally drags me to the lawn."

This weekend

Best Friends' Strut Your Mutt event returns to Treasure Island on Saturday with a 2 1/2-mile fun run or 1 1/2-mile or 1-mile walk. Event includes a doggie costume contest, wine garden, demonstrations and more. Registration opens at 9 a.m. Saturday ($10-$30); festival takes place at the Great Lawn on the island. More info at www.strutyourmutt.org/sanfran2014.

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